What is Ultrasound?
Ultrasound Exam Description
Ultrasound Preparations
Vascular
Vascular Preparations
What is Ultrasound?
Ultrasound imaging (also called ultrasound scanning or sonography) is a relatively inexpensive, fast and radiation-free imaging modality. Ultrasound is excellent for non-invasively imaging and diagnosing a number of organs and conditions, without x-ray radiation.
Applications & Clinical Benefits of Ultrasound
Because high-frequency sound waves cannot penetrate bone or air, they are especially useful in imaging soft tissues and fluid filled spaces.
Ultrasound is good at non-invasively imaging a number of soft tissue organs without x-rays:
- Heart
- Pelvis and reproductive organs
- Kidneys, liver, pancreas, gall bladder
- Thyroid
- Blood vessels
- Fetus
Ultrasound Biopsy is also being used more and more to image the breasts and to guide biopsy of breast cancer.
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Ultrasound
Ultrasound is a common diagnostic procedure that uses sound waves like sonar to create a moving picture. Because sound waves are used instead of radiation, you will feel little or no discomfort. Ultrasound imaging (also called sonography) is a relatively inexpensive, fast and radiation-free imaging modality. It is excellent for non-invasive imaging of a number of organs and diagnosis for various conditions.
Usually you associate ultrasound with pregnancy. However, it is also helpful in the detection, diagnosis, and the monitoring of a number of potential problems, including:
- Abdominal Disorders
- Vascular Disorders
- Cancer
- Pelvic Disorders
- Prenatal Disorders
Biopsy
Ultrasound is also being used more and more to image the breasts and to guide biopsy of masses to diagnose breast cancer.
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Ultrasound Exam Description
Abdominal Disorders
Ultrasound is used to detect gallstones, as well as abnormalities in the liver, kidney, pancreas and spleen. It is also used to monitor kidney transplant patients.
Ultrasound is also extensively used for evaluating the kidneys, liver, pancreas, heart, and blood vessels of the neck and abdomen. Ultrasound can also be used to guide fine needle tissue biopsy to facilitate sampling cells from an organ for lab testing (for example, to test for cancerous tissue).
Pelvic Disorders
Transvaginal ultrasound helps determine the cause of pain or bleeding in a woman’s reproductive organs. These tests often provide better images than traditional ultrasound and are used in early pregnancies or for pelvic procedures.
Cancer
Ultrasound can locate masses in organs or tissues, is useful as a guide with needle biopsies, and helps detect prostate cancer or breast cancer while monitoring treatment.
Pregnancy (4D Ultrasound)
Ultrasound is used to check the health and development of your baby. It can determine if you are going to have multiple babies, or rule out potential problems in-utero.
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Ultrasound Preparations
Compared to other radiology procedures, ultrasound requires little patient preparation. The preparation is dependent upon the type of exam.
Pelvic Ultrasound Complete/Obstetrical
A full bladder is needed for the exam, or you may be required to reschedule. Begin drinking 32 oz of water one (1) hour prior to exam time, and finish 30 minutes prior to exam. Do not void, a full bladder is needed for the best exam possible.
Renal
Be sure to drink 20 oz of water before the exam.
Upper Abdominal (Liver, Gallbladder, Spleen, Pancreas, Aorta, Kidneys)
Nothing by mouth for eight hours prior to the exam. All medications may be taken with water. Nothing by mouth (NPO) after midnight prior to your exam no smoking or chewing gum until after exam.
Diabetic patients should be scheduled first thing in the morning and have nothing in the stomach (NPO) after midnight prior to your exam.
Breast Ultrasound
Prior mammograms are usually needed. No preparation is required.
Carotid Duplex/Thyroid/Scrotal/Peripheral Vascular (Venous)/Endovaginal Pelvic Only
No preparation is needed.
If you have any questions regarding your exam or the preparation requirements please contact us at:
(575) 556-1800 or Toll Free 1 888 522-6631.
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Vascular
Ultrasound imaging is finding a greater role in the detection, diagnosis and treatment of heart disease, heart attack, acute stroke and vascular disease which can lead to stroke.
Vascular Ultrasound is ideal in assessing blood vessels, using Doppler techniques. We are able to visualize red blood cells as they flow through the vascular system.
Blood Vessel Stenosis/Disease
Ultrasound evaluates blood vessels at risk for aneurysm (ballooning) or stenosis (abnormal narrowing), plaque and clots.
Vascular Preparations
Carotid Duplex/Thyroid/Scrotal/Peripheral Vascular (Venous)/Endovaginal Pelvic Only
No preparation is needed.
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